Training & education

Dredging career and social life

In our present society we like to combine our work and social lives in a more natural way. Being away from family and friends tends to lead to feelings of "missing" moments, whether it be a birthday, a highschool graduation, a wedding or just an ordinary gathering with friends during the weekend.
This means that, as opposed to earlier times in the dredging industry where crews tend to be away for many a month, one now works in shorter periods in order to be home on a more regular basis.
For example, when to work outside Europe, dredging-personnel are stationed between 6 to 8 weeks followed by a resting-period of the same working-period.
When working in Europe, these time-schedules are even shorter varying from 1 to 2 weeks followed by a similar resting time.

Employment

The dredging industry in Europe employs some 8000 people, ashore and afloat. It employs indirectly a further 30.000, via supply and service companies.

The crews on dredging vessels are fully certified and are trained to high standards. All companies comply fully with international requirements and all other maritime safety rules in force. In addition some of the crew have formal qualifications as mechanics to enable them to cope with the operation of the complex machinery. In consequence their pay and conditions tend to be at the higher end of the scale for seafarers of EU nationality.
The industry offers outstanding job opportunities and is looking for suitable candidates.